Oh my GOD.

This book was amazing, i couldn’t put it down. This was the first book of Garcia i’ve read and im happy to say that it won’t be the last.

Normally i don’t like that much stories with vampires but this is not the case. Shadow kissed is a N/A dark fantasy romance with a slow burn love and a dark world-building. It has all the best tropes: fake dating, enemies to lovers, found family, political intrigue and THE ONE BED TROPE!!

The characters are written in an exemplary way and even the emotions they feel will make you feel like you are part of a new family. In the first part of the book the story is a bit slow because the characters and the world are introduced but in the second part you will have to keep strong because you will have many twists that will make you speechless

Onestly? I CANNOT WAIT TO READ THE SECOND BOOK.

Thank you Net Galley, Victory Editing Co-op and the author for allowing me to read this wonderful story.

𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝑵𝒆𝒕𝑮𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑷𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆-𝒂𝒓𝒄.


I have been wanting to read from this author and was thankful enough to have seen this on NetGalley and started immediately.

First things first, I adore this alluring cover of Shadow Kissed, the cover was the first thing I noticed and caught my eye tbh.

As for the story, I did expect many things such as enemies to lovers, iconic banter, slow-burn, character development and of course the overall delivery of the plot.

The plot wasn’t something new to me but the premise still do sounds good. I was pretty skeptical when I started the story and already had some mixed feelings along the way.

As the story progresses, for some reason, the pairing did remind me of FeyreXTamlinXRhysand in some ways I don’t actually know why.

The banter is pretty there, I enjoyed it but as for the characters not that much, especially Olivia. Although there a few scenes where she’s iconic but overall I just didn’t like her enough. I understand her grief and whatsover but I just felt that she wasn’t developed enough and remained that whiny and weak and that threw me off.

I also would pretty say that to Sebastian because like I said, the pairing pretty much reminded me of FeyreXTamlinXRhysand.

They do have those tension which I did enjoy especially during those last 40% of the story I think.

Overall, I think is an okay read for me. The world building is interesting as well as the history of the plot and once again which reminded me of King of Battle and Blood but not really like that.

I just hope the way it was delivered, executed much more better and consistent throughout the story, especially the almost end- to end parts which pretty much irked me to be honest, it was so anticlimactic for me.

I’m still interested in finding out the rest of the future story so I’ll be sure to keep an eye on this.

A decent read. Expected it to be much better but was bit of a let down.

We have vampires, found family, slow burn romance (poorly done), fake dating and one bed trope. We also have the "Who did this to you" storyline (nicely done)👀

Spice- 1/5
Plot- 3/5

The plot is pretty good but the delivery is not well executed. There's very little world building done by the author which creates confusion and raises questions to which answers were rarely given. The way dialogues are written are basically info dump (a result of no world building) which was exhausting to read (in the first half). The pace of the whole book is super fast giving no space for character development or a proper story building.

The second half is certainly better than the first one. The pace from super fast goes to just fast (which in no way is big improvement) but the characters start to find their way into the plot.

Olivia, our main character is an empath and a sorceress. She didn't develop into a badass leader I was expecting her to be. I couldn't relate to her. She rarely took charge, we barely get to see any of her powers; basically weak.
Sebastian single handedly carried the book and despite that his character had very little development. Ever thought if Rhysand was a vampire and a pushover what would he be like? Sebastian. (BTW there's a City of Nightmares too👀).
The chemistry between the two is good but not amazing. .

The supporting characters come off as dull and with very little personality. The whole pacing of the book is so fast, I couldn't bond with the characters at all and even towards the end I didn't care at all.

The ending is pretty good but it's written in a very bland manner. Will I read the next one in the series? I'll just have to wait and see if it interests me. This book had A LOT of potential but it wasn't delivered right. The cover is dope, I'll give it that.

eARC provided by Netgalley for an honest review.

Shadow kissed is the first book I have read by Rebecca L.Garcia but for sure won't be the last. I absolutely cannot wait to read the next two instalments of this trilogy. Shadow kissed is massivly centred around Olivia's struggle with being an empath and the deep emotions she deals with daily. I very much enjoyed the will they wont they relationship between Olivia and Sebastian, the sexual tension was perfectly executed throughout the book. There were some big excuse me sorry what!? Moments and I loved them all. This is a story of mortal falls for vampire but not like you know it definitely worth the read you won't be disappointed.

I was gifted the ARC via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.

"The last thing I wanted was to be in his arms, but in a world of darkness, he was my only ally."

✅ Fake dating
✅ Slow burn romance
✅ Only one bed
✅ Found family
✅ Political scheming
✅ Vampires with wings (!?)

I almost stopped reading after only a few pages, but I'm so glad I persevered. The first few chapters were very hard to get through, the remaining twenty flew. This is a quick paced, easy read that promises much more to come.

As if mourning the mysterious death of her boyfriend wasn't enough to be dealing with, Olivia finds herself whisked away to the City of Darkness following a vampire attack. Here, she must navigate blood dens, human auctions, and a royal castle to try save her best friend and mother - all while trying to figure out what the sexy Sebastian really wants from her.

The world the author has created is very interesting. However, it could have been much stronger. I found the premise of the world intriguing, but wasn't immersed in it. The story was also quite predictable, but very enjoyable. There's some nice banter between the characters and the plot is quick moving (with some of our favourite tropes!!!).

So while the story was 'simple', it was addictive. I've never downloaded a bonus chapter so fast (you can also do so by signing up for the author's newsletter). The way the story ends... the next book is going to be enthralling.

I'm praying for a fast release... and lots of smut.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

I flew through this book and if you want a fast paced book chock full of some top tropes like fake-dating, enemies to lovers, one bed and forced proximity - this is for you!

I quite liked how the world wasn't real, but wasn't super high fantasy style either - it fit the characters and plot.

However, I did find the overall story SO predictable. Some things that I'm guessing were meant to be a plot twist were obvious pretty early on, and I don't think there's anything that really 'stands out' about the story or characters.

I thoroughly enjoyed this! That cliffhanger was brutal!!! The development of the story was decent, but I wished that the romance went a little faster. I felt like the Nightshade guild could’ve had more presence, rather than the cattiness they ordered. Kalon is showing to be a promising villain, and love Sebastian! Can’t wait for the next installment!

Shadow Kissed invites readers into world full of vampires, deceit, and secrets. I have to admit, I usually am not a fan of vampire books but this one really changed my perspective.

If you are in the mood for a slow burn, forced collaboration, enemies to lovers, one bed trope kind of book then look no further. This book really has it all. The banter between Sebastian and Olivia was golden and I really enjoyed all of their interactions with one another.

The world: like I said above: WOW! We start off in Baldoria, they’re really modern and it pretty much starts off as an urban fantasy! Then we go to Sanmorte, and they felt really medieval to me. Which is actually also stated in the book, that Sanmorte is behind in technology. The mix of urban and high fantasy was so well done that half the time I forgot that Olivia is actually used to having a phone and everything! It’s also really dark and twisted, with scary monsters (both literally and metaphorically)!
.

overall a great book

When vampires attack her home Olivia is taken to the city of nightmares where she finds more than she bargained for.

Enemies to lovers
Who did this to you
Found family
And vampires, what more could you ask for?

I loved this book from start to finish, I could not put it down! The banter, the story, the characters pulled me in and I wasn’t ready to it to end. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next one!

If you are looking for a new adult in a dark setting with a slow burn (enemies to lovers) romance, an epic and unique worldbuilding, vampires, fake dating, lost royalty and found family; well look no more you found it. I was given the opportunity to receive this ARC through Netgalley and I am so grateful. It was my first book by Rebecca Garcia

The one bed trope with some banter is excellent. I truly enjoyed it along with amazing characters. Add in secrets and betrayal with that cliffhanger!!! Who wouldn’t be asking for book two?! The plot, the storyline, action, angst, just everything kept at a good pace had me engaged from start to finish.

Olivia is a 19 years old sorceress and empath. Daughter to a mother who is a member of the Guild. A group that is entrusted with the protection of mortals from vampires. Olivia notices that everyone in the guild seems to be on high alert and she believes it has to do with the death of her boyfriend. However a vampire attack on the guild occurs, vampires looking for Oliva and her mother. As she tries to get away she is captured by Sebastian, a vampire. Instead of harming her, he insisted that he was there to protect her.

She is taken to the City of Nightmares and must fight to survive in a place where mortals are nothing by means of feeding and trading. Olivia that is the worst thing that could have happened to her. Until she learns the truth her loved one has been hiding from and that was worse than the death she is trying to escape.

The tension in this book, the build up is a chef’s kiss. It keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. Not knowing what will happen next. I enjoy every single part of this book and hope to get the second book soon.

This was exactly what it promised to be: a fun, fast-paced new adult vampire romance.

I enjoyed this! The world and the characters weren’t the most interesting or developed, so if you’re looking for in-depth world building then this probably isn’t for you. But the plot chugged right along, the characters’ interactions were entertaining, and it was reasonably fun. There’s a nice cliffhanger here too. I also appreciated that the love interest wasn’t a bad boy, which I definitely expected from this sort of book! Instead we got **fake dating trope*** :)

For being NA though I wish it had a bit more spice to it! Perhaps that comes in a later book.

Thanks to NetGalley for the free copy in exchange for a review.

ARC REVIEW
I really enjoyed this, the characters are so unique as is the world of Sorcerers and different types of vampire. Olivia and Sebastian are great characters and i really can't wait to read more of them. The style this was written in as well is so good. You really get thrown into the story and the world.

Fancy reading an enemies to lovers type story with Vampires? This author has got that covered with a very intriguing beginning to this new series. Olivia is a Sorceress, protected by those who hunt the rogue Vampires infiltrating their country but sadly Olivias powers are somewhat limited. When her mother is taken Olivia tries to escape but is snatched up by Sebastian a Vampire with a plan that will change Olivias life irrevocably !
These Vampires are pretty nasty and I thought having snarky Olivia in the middle of their political machinations worked out very well. Whilst not particularly gory there's enough violence and blood to make these seemingly sophisticated Vampires feel very creepy. The magic is subtle although I would like more in the next book but if it's a slow build of sexual tension that you enjoy then prepare to watch Olivia and Sebastian taunt, tease and generally rile each other up ! A really entertaining read that I enjoyed and I already want the next book.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

I don't mind a cliffhanger, but I hate having to wait for the next book!
I powered through this one. An intriguing and twisty story. Olivia's world is turned upside down - her life at the start of the book is vastly different from how it is at the end - and I can't wait to see what happens next.

Thank you to NetGally and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for giving me the chance to read the e-arc of Shadow Kissed.

Ok where do I start…… this took me less than a day to read and got me out of my current slump.

If you love books with magic and vampires this is the book for you.

Fast paced filled with betrayal, vengeance, found family, royalty and lost heirs.

This story follows Olivia who is a sorceress being kept hidden (safe) by the guild. The guild is one day attacked and Olivia is saved by Sebastian who is a young vampire - or you could say kidnapped but as the story unfolds it turns out he is actually saving her.

I don’t want to say too much more in this as it could possibly spoil it for you, but I will say this - Sebastian is possibly me new book boyfriend 😉. I’m so excited for the next book to be released as it did leave on a bit of a cliffhanger.

is this another year for me where every vampire book i read is amazing.. i hope so.. becuase this was soo good. I will confess this is a new author for me but the cover/title sold the book to me. I am so glad to give this author a chance because i loved it. Vampires, sorcerers and a lot of inbetween happening in this book. There is a minor adult scene but the romance build up is INTENSE! I need the next book sooo bad. I loved Olivia and Seb as well as the supporting cast so much..The world building, the plot building, the intensity.. gimme more!!

I really liked the premise of this book - the idea of the guild and Olivia being so closely tied to the vampire hunters only to end up having to co-operate with vampires for he survival. I also liked that the dynamic between Sebastian and Olivia reminded me of The Vampire Diaries, which is a favourite show of mine. They had an easy banter between them and Sebastian became difficult to dislike. And I enjoyed the drama element of the story - it felt like there was a lot of “oh my god” moments where I was definitely entertained by the tea being spilled. My only complaint with the book is that I found some aspects of the story to be formulaic, and I was able to easily predict some plot twists. Overall I thought it was a good story, the world building wasn’t difficult to understand and the characters were likeable.

Olivia who is a sorceress and the daughter of a of a member of the guild which protects people from vampires. But the vampires attack and Olivia loses everyone she loves and is left with a vampire.

The world building was so good. I had a good idea of the world and everything fairly early on and I really loved that! This book also has sooo many good tropes that are chef kiss: fake dating, found family, enemies to lovers and ONE BED?!? Say less. I usually don’t like urban fantasy so much honestly but I was super surprised at how much I really liked this book. I can’t wait to read book!!

Step into the world of Vampires like you've never read them before. Rebecca L. Garcia does an amazing job blending creative and compound worldbuilding and extensive character building into this highly thought out paranormal fantasy novel. It's full of amazing tropes, found family, slow burn romance, fake dating, "only one bed", and excellent dialogue and banter between the characters. You'll find that those you are initially rooting for might not be the same as the ones you find yourself rooting for in the end. I'm already excited to read the next one and experience the rest of the story!
**Special thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC, though all opinions are my own.**

I really loved this dark fantasy! The world Rebecca L. Garcia created was so interesting and combines urban fantasy with vampires! This book was fast paced and full of twists! I loved the banter/tension between Olivia and Sebastien! The other characters were great as well. After that ending, I’m dying to see what happens next!